The top teams in the student division were all from Memorial High School. Other teams represented the U.S. Green Building Council and Coca-Cola.

"It was great," Watson said.

"We got over 1,000 trees planted in less than three hours, and I think everyone had a good time. It was a win-win."

Watson said he also was happy to see area residents come out to watch the contest and ask questions about tree plantings.

The trees planted during the competition included sycamores, bald cypresses, live oaks, pines and red maples.

"The contest is a tool to help educate people to plant trees properly," said Mickey Merritt, regional urban forest coordinator for the Texas A&M Forestry Service. "It also helps get trees planted in the region. About 20 to 30 years from now, we'll see enormous benefits from these trees."

One tree in an urban forest contributes approximately $3,000 in benefits to the community, Merritt said, adding that 10 trees represent $30,000 in benefits and 1,000 trees represent $3 million. Those benefits include water quality improvements, air pollution mitigation and energy conservation.

"And then there are the quality of life benefits," Merritt said, adding that people recovering from illness or surgeries tend to recover more quickly when they have a view of trees.

Workers are more productive when they can see them and report greater job satisfaction.

"The economics go far beyond air quality," Merritt said.

The Harris County Flood Control District has been planting trees along its bayous and detention basins since 2001.

By creating shade, the trees reduce vegetation on the ground and decrease the need for mowing, Watson explained.

On average, the district plants 20,000 trees a year. They also help reduce erosion, improve water quality and provide habitat for wildlife.

Watson said the flood control district only plants native Texas trees and uses one contractor to grow them and another to plant and maintain them for their first two years.

After about seven or eight years, the trees get large enough to start providing shade and reducing vegetation growth.

"There are several basins where we planted trees where we can feasibly cut out one mowing," Watson said.

Mowing costs vary by area, but cost an average of $90 per acre. The flood control district normally mows its bayous and channels three times a year.

"If we can cut out one of those mowings on a big section of acreage that cuts costs pretty quickly," Watson said.